ON 21st March, Kelantan celebrated International Day of Forests on state level. On national level, the chosen theme is “Hutan Untuk Kesejahteraan Masyarakat”.
The celebration was in line with the Kelantan government consistent effort to conserve and preserve our forests.
Taman Eko Rimba Bukit Bakar, Machang was specifically selected as the venue for the celebration. It signifies the government’s strong desire to promote eco-tourism and subsequently increasing the level of local socio-economic.
The global community celebrate this special day concurrently with a clear aim in mind: humanity as a whole must act as saviours and preservers of nature.
Acting consistently with that aim, the state government picked this day to officially recognized ‘Pokok Chengal’ as the official tree of Kelantan.
Chengal has its own special status in the local society. Our ancestors throughout generations have chosen chengal for building purposes. It’s a ‘high end brand’ in its own class with unmatched quality which can lasts for centuries.
And even more important, two major initiatives related to forest preservation were officially declared and launched. They are ‘Pelan Induk Pembangunan Hutan Simpan Ulu Sat’ and the book titled ‘Trans Ulu Sat: Recreation Opportunity Spectrum & Pengurusan Risiko’.
These are the latest proofs serving as answers to malicious lies accusing the state government acting recklessly when it comes to forests conservation.
Every year, a steady barrage of unfounded and vicious political remarks targeting the state government continue to come from various self-acclaimed defenders of nature. But the fact remains, Kelantan has the highest percentage in terms of area covered by forest.
Sustainability of forests is always the agenda of the state government. Forests-related activities is only on the fourth place among other resources in terms of their contribution to the state government.
The percentage of Kelantan forested area is 51% covering an area of 767,202.5 hectares. And the reserved forest is 42% of the overall land area which is 629,880.95 hectares.
The so called ‘defenders of nature’ can continue their barking in the wilderness. But we have all the data and statistics on our side.
The data is clear, and they certainly speak louder than all the barking.
Not only the people of Kelantan, but the whole nation should be proud of Kelantan forests reservations.
MUHAMMAD NABIL ZULKIFLI
Darulnaim Research Centre – HARAKAHDAILY 23/3/2022
